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UK IMMIGRATION SERVICES

	New Points Based System
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	UK Work Visas and Options
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	Work Permits
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UK Work Permits

What is a work permit?

Work permits are issued by Work Permits (UK), part of the Home Office's Border and Immigration Agency. A work permit relates to a specific person and a specific job. Work permits also allow overseas nationals to come to the UK for training or work experience. Work Permits are normally only issued when the employer has been unable to recruit a suitable employee from within the EEA.
There are 6 Types of Work Permit

Business and commercial work permits
These allow UK employers to recruit people from outside the EEA who will fill a vacancy that the employer has not been able to fill with a resident worker.
GATS (Global Agreement on Trade in Services) work permits
This agreement allows employees of companies that are based outside the European Union to work in the UK on a service contract awarded to their employer by a UK-based organisation.
Training and Work Experience Scheme (TWES)
This scheme allows people from outside the EEA to carry out work-based training for a professional or specialist qualification, or a short period of work experience as an extra member of staff.
Student Internships
Student Internship arrangements allow students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA), studying first or higher degree courses overseas to undertake an internship with an employer in this country. A student will only be given permission for one internship with an employer and approval will be given for a maximum of three months.
Sector Based Scheme (SBS)
Sports and Entertainments
The sportspeople and entertainers arrangement enables employers to recruit current international performers of the highest standard, who are able to make a significant contribution to entertainment or sport in this country.

Each of these involves its own application process, and generally requires a job offer from a UK employer. The UK immigration authorities have stopped accepting work permits in many other categories.

An alternative way to get a Work Permit in the United Kingdom is through the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme. The HSMP does not require the applicant to have received a job offer before applying. It's a points-based application, where the applicant receives a score in four areas: Qualifications, Past Earnings, Age Assessment, and UK Experience. If the applicant meets the cutoff score, then they are eligible to work in the UK.

Do I need a work permit?

If you are an overseas national who is not settled in the UK and you intend to work in the UK, you must have a work permit or other form of working visa unless you fall into one of the following categories.

EEA national
Swiss national
Family member of an EEA or Swiss national who is in the UK exercising their treaty rights or a family member of an EEA or Swiss national who intends to join them in the UK, or is travelling with them to the UK
Citizen of Gibraltar
Commonwealth citizen with permission to stay in the UK on the basis of UK Ancestry
Seaman under contract to join a ship due to leave British waters
Employed as a civilian in NATO Forces
Permission to stay as the dependant of a person settled in the UK
Dependant under another category (in some cases)
Student (in some cases)

Multiple-entry work permits (MEWPs)

The MEWP is designed for employees travelling regularly for short periods of work permit employment with the same employer in the UK (other than Northern Ireland). It is not valid for the Training and Work Experience Scheme (TWES). MEWPs are valid for between six months and two years for individual work permit holders. For sportspeople and groups of entertainers the maximum period is 12 months.
MEWP holders do not qualify for indefinite leave to remain in the UK (in other words they cannot apply for permission to stay in the UK with no time limit). They must support themselves and live without taking other employment or needing any help from public funds. They cannot bring their husband, wife, civil partner or dependent children with them to the UK. Letters of approval can be used in place of individual work permits when a large group of people (20 or more) are travelling together.

How do I apply for a UK work permit?

You cannot apply directly for a work permit. The employer in the UK who wants to employ you must do this. The employer should send the filled-in application form at least eight weeks before the date they need you to start work. As licensed Immigration Advisors for the UK, iEffect can process application forms on behalf of organisations. For more details please contact us.

Can I travel before my work permit has been issued?

No. You should not travel to the UK to start work before you get your work permit as you will be refused entry.

Can my dependants join me in the UK?

Your husband, wife, civil partner or eligible partner and children under 18 can join you as your dependant in the UK if:

They have a visa for this purpose
You can support them and live without needing any help from public funds

Can my other dependants join me in the UK?

As a special condition outside the Immigration Rules, children over the age of 18 and dependent parents can join you if:

You have been posted to the UK branch of your employer's company by your employer, and
The person applying:

Is genuinely dependent on you
Is, and will continue to be, part of the family unit
Will not stay in the UK after your stay has ended